The DTA seems to create loopholes in which torture is acceptable policy.

Much of the meaning of both the MCA and DTA is debated, but when pages of the field manual approved by the DTA are classified, it’s hard to assert what it means in either direction.

It’s…yeah. It’s inconclusively depressing. Evidence is lacking to establish that McCain did not in fact help put into law bills that support torture, no matter how noble his intentions may be.

Perhaps you’re forgetting about McCain’s detainee treatment act (DTA)? That legislation directly addresses torture – the MCA defines what constitutes a War Crime under our obligations to the GC. At worst, the MCA limits severely limits who can be prosecuted for “war crimes” (and for what) under US law, but it doesn’t magically do away with the host of laws and treaties we’ve ratified that have to do with torture and other illegal acts, including the DTA. It’s as if people believe the MCA is the only governing law on detainee treatment and torture – it is obviously not – and that it somehow authorizes torture – it does not.

The assumption that the Military Commision Act is an improvement over no law should be evaluated before using it to establish that McCain didn’t buckle under when torture was front page news. Some times, no law is needed, because existing laws and treaties (“How do you do, this fine evening, Ms. Geneva Convention?”) sufficiently cover the issue.

Besides I admire his current wife, must have stayed with Colonel Hackworth.

I was under the impression that a Webb bill/amendment on torture was held up in committee. What you cite is an amendment that would preempt any funding for an attack on Iran.

Again, has any Democrat begun anti-torture legislation to correct any real/perceived flaws in McCain’s legislation? Not that I can find.

When I talk to my friends, I’,m encouraged.
When I listen to the call-ins at C-SPAN, I want to tear my hair out. Advertising does work, and the pundits do have an enormous effect. Many people are gullible.

I worry.

The problem is McCain says all the right things about torture (it’s bad) but votes to support Bush and his torture approval plans every time – that is why he gets slagged on this by the left.

Have some evidence for that? Who wrote and got the DTA (detainee treatment act) into law? McCain.

You talk about lip service, what other elected official has even attempted to do what McCain did? One would think that for all the rhetoric coming from the Democrats, and their ability to bring any legislation they wish to the floor, that we’d see SOMETHING more on torture. We haven’t. So the “left” is slagging McCain because he tried and possibly came up short, but the left gives their leaders, who didn’t even try, (but voted for McCain’s DTA!) a pass. Nice logic there.

Now, I agree with Domajot, I could not vote for McCain for President. In my mind he’s an excellent Senator but would make a lousy President.

I don’t remember if I’ve already chimed in with my agreement, but doing to twice can do no harem.

So, I AGREE.

Why McCain is spurned by those who appreciate his stand on particular issues is as complicated as anything else is. In my case, I applaud him for some positions taken, but I couldn’t vote for him as a first choice,, because some of his other poistions absolutely scare me.

In general, there seems to be a pervasive tendency to ‘bring down’ all public figures. When a haircut, a dog story or cleavage can bring on a firestorm of commentary, that says something about the psychology of the public, and it doesn’t say anything complimentay.